We've ranked the top hotels in California based on an unbiased analysis of awards, expert recommendations and user ratings.
Out of 231 luxury hotels, 34 scored high enough to make
the U.S. News list of the Best Hotels in the USA.
Popular destinations in California:
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(41 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
About a 30-minute drive north of San Diego, Rancho Valencia is a little off the beaten path. But that's why people love it. Perhaps ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(142 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
When you can simply borrow a Mercedes-Benz for an afternoon drive through wine country at no extra cost, you know you're experiencing the epitome ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(282 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
What doesn't this European-style hotel offer? About 20 miles north of central San Diego, the Grand Del Mar drips luxury from its marble lobby ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(170 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
A favorite among professional and leisure travelers alike, this five-star luxury hotel gets an inside edge on other hotels by truly coddling its guests. Why ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(80 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
For golf fans, a stay at the Lodge at Pebble Beach, which sits on the 18th hole of the historic Pebble Beach Golf Course, is ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(114 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
Like its more famous sister property, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, the Inn at Spanish Bay caters to the most avid golfers and luxury travelers ... Reviews & More »
Price found with Orbitz:
$475
(May 16 - May 17)
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(275 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
Don't confuse The Beverly Hills Hotel with the similarly named Beverly Hilton. But you should be mindful of the similarities between the two. Both ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(310 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
The Montage Laguna Beach epitomizes the relaxed class and beauty that Southern California is known for. The ideal location, right along the shore and south ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(135 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
Situated in the quiet countryside Rutherford in the heart of Napa Valley, the Auberge du Soleil beautifully showcases the area's stunning vistas. But there ... Reviews & More »
- Hotel Class:

- Reputation: EXCELLENT
-
User Rating:
(169 reviews)
- Named one of the U.S. News Best Hotels in the USA for 2012
Unlike many of its Monterey Peninsula competitors, the Bernardus Lodge is situated away from the beach in the rugged hills and vineyards of Carmel Valley ... Reviews & More »
*Any unranked hotels have been sorted by hotel class and then alphabetically. More information can be found on our methodology page.
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,{"name" : "Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort",
"lat" : 38.5783,
"lng" : -122.514297,
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,{"name" : "The Grand Del Mar",
"lat" : 32.938702,
"lng" : -117.197998,
"url" : "/Hotels/review-The_Grand_Del_Mar-San_Diego-California-37151/",
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,{"name" : "The Peninsula Beverly Hills",
"lat" : 34.065861,
"lng" : -118.411201,
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,{"name" : "The Lodge At Pebble Beach",
"lat" : 36.569199,
"lng" : -121.950401,
"url" : "/Hotels/review-The_Lodge_At_Pebble_Beach-Pebble_Beach-California-114760/",
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,{"name" : "The Inn at Spanish Bay",
"lat" : 36.613998,
"lng" : -121.931396,
"url" : "/Hotels/review-The_Inn_at_Spanish_Bay-Pebble_Beach-California-115669/",
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,{"name" : "The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows",
"lat" : 34.08165,
"lng" : -118.412102,
"url" : "/Hotels/review-The_Beverly_Hills_Hotel_and_Bungalows-Beverly_Hills-California-15546/",
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,{"name" : "Montage Laguna Beach",
"lat" : 33.5177,
"lng" : -117.758797,
"url" : "/Hotels/review-Montage_Laguna_Beach-Laguna_Beach-California-115733/",
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,{"name" : "Auberge du Soleil",
"lat" : 38.493599,
"lng" : -122.4076,
"url" : "/Hotels/review-Auberge_du_Soleil-Rutherford-California-116196/",
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,{"name" : "Bernardus Lodge",
"lat" : 36.500118,
"lng" : -121.755096,
"url" : "/Hotels/review-Bernardus_Lodge-Carmel_Valley-California-131258/",
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]